Dr. Luis Palais Lang-oy, Chief Science Research Specialist and Head of the Research Division, re-tires (change to new tire) from being a civil servant for 41 years to a pastoral ministry through teaching the Gospel.
During Dr. Lang-oy’s birthday and retirement program on August 25, 2023, he shared that his new mission is to provide his best services for the work of God by sharing the Good News with a fervent hope and prayer that people will come to God. With his lengthy service in the government, he was kept unbent by his life verse, Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
His colleagues and supervisors congratulated Dr. Lang-oy for his lengthy service. Through a recorded message, Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan, OIC-Regional Executive Director of the DA-CAR, thanked Dr. Lang-oy for the lessons he learned from him. “I learned two things from you which I would like to imbibe. First, Be positive in life. We are not defined by our past and you can make the best of the present and look forward to the future. Secondly, patience. Patience with staff amidst opposing views.”
Being the manager of the Baguio Animal Breeding Center (BABRC), then Dairy Farm, for many years, Dr. Lang-oy was asked to collaborate with the agency for the ongoing land cases at the BABRC. OIC-RED Atty. Dawayan expressed, “I hope that you will always be available to assist in the cases we currently face. This is for me your ultimate sacrifice as a public servant, to service the agency even after retirement. There is no person who can do this other than you, being the research manager in the past years. Continue to pray for us. Pray for me. Pray for the new management.”
Learning his pastoral ministry plans, his fellow division chiefs and former colleagues expressed their support for his new endeavor. “Retiring at 65 is a very special one and a blessing. Retirement may be an end to a government service but it is also a beginning of a new one,” said Mr. Nicasio Baucas who is now the OIC-Chief of the Research Division.
“After retirement, you will not only be seeking animals but you will also be seeking for the lost sheep. This is the highest profession,” expressed Dr. Ofelia Ducayag, OIC-Chief of the Integrated Laboratory Division.
Former DA-CAR RED Cameron P. Odsey reminisced the experiences that they had together, especially during the DA-CHARMP Phase 1 and their struggles on the Dairy Farm. “We stood our ground and continued this because this farm is not owned by anybody else but the DA. Now we support you with your apostolic work to spread the word of God,” said Odsey.
Dr. Lang-oy is described by his colleagues and family as a family-centered man, a supportive father, a generous provider, dedicated to his work, and sensitive to his staff’s needs, among others. By Sherry Antonio
